Comparative assessment of ovitraps for the collection of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) eggs in field studies in Attica Region, Greece.

Mosquito symbionts have the potential to control mosquito-borne diseases by reducing vector competence through direct or indirect interactions with pathogens. However, the microbiome of field-collected mosquitoes is often unstable, and it remains unclear whether certain symbiont species can both colonize their hosts stably and modulate host immunity. In this study, we collected second-instar Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens larvae from field water sources in Hong Kong and reared them to fourth-instar larvae and adults under laboratory conditions. We investigated microbiome changes from water to mosquito midguts and identified stable bacterial species (≥ 0.01% relative abundance) across mosquito stages using 16S rRNA-based bacteriome analysis. We further isolated symbiotic bacteria on culture plates, screened stable species by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and evaluated their functional potential. Mosquito microbiomes were influenced by water source, developmental stage, and host species. Taxonomically, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes dominated mosquito midguts. Each mosquito species maintained four stable bacterial species (≥ 0.01% relative abundance) throughout development. We confirmed culturable Comamonas thiooxydans as a stable symbiont of Culex pipiens and Vibrionimonas magnilacihabitans in Aedes albopictus. Genomic predictions suggested their involvement in antimicrobial peptide synthesis. Functionally, these bacteria enhanced host survival and increased hemolymph antimicrobial activity against Erwinia carotovora subspecies carotovora 15 (ECC15), but not across mosquito species. Our findings suggest that mosquitoes harbor generally unstable bacterial communities with only a few species-specific stable symbionts, which may contribute to host survival and immune function. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

The sterile insect technique (SIT) suppresses mosquito populations by releasing sterile males. Its success mainly depends on the performance of sterile males. Mark-Release-Recapture (MRR) experiments are used to evaluate male performance in the field, yet most previous experiments were conducted under mild conditions (e.g. 25-28 °C) in which mosquitoes could easily adapt. Male mosquito performance under stressful field conditions remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the field performance of irradiated Aedes albopictus males under high-temperature conditions (>30 °C in average) in southern China, Foshan City, located in a sub-tropical area. Two MRR experiments were conducted in a 5-ha village during July-August of 2023 and 2024. Lifespan and dispersal of postreleased males were examined using BG-Sentinel mosquito traps, human landing catches, and ovitraps. A total of 54 546 and 58 440 sterile males were released in 2023 and 2024, respectively, with recapture rates of 8.53% and 5.64%. The mean dispersal distances ranged from 58.88-77.19 m (2023) to 81.82-90.86 m (2024). Daily survival probabilities were 0.15-0.28 in 2023 and 0.45-0.62 in 2024, corresponding to average expected lifespans of 0.53-0.78 days and 1.26-2.13 days, respectively. Estimated wild male densities ranged from 302-986 males ha-1 in 2023 to 416-3785 males ha-1 in 2024. Stressful field conditions severely reduced sterile male survival and dispersal, highlighting the need to optimize release protocols in challenging climates. These findings provide critical baseline data for advancing Ae. albopictus SIT programmes in southern China. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Temporal dynamics and microhabitat-associated variation in Aedes albopictus abundance and oviposition behaviour in a peri‑urban context.

Abstract Mosquitoes are significant vectors of numerous medically important pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and nematodes. Invasive mosquito species, primarily of Asian origin, are rapidly expanding across Europe, thereby elevating the risk of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya outbreaks in urban areas. This updated checklist builds upon and significantly expands the previous version published in the second electronic edition of the Checklist of Diptera of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, covering the family Culicidae (Meigen, 1818). The earlier checklist documented 50 species in total: 45 from Czech Republic (39 in Bohemia and 39 in Moravia) and 50 from Slovakia. The current revision recognizes 55 species, of which 51 occur in the Czech Republic (48 in Bohemia and 43 in Moravia) and 54 in Slovakia. The checklist is based on a critical review of the faunistic literature and includes newly recorded species. In addition to synthesizing data from previously published literature, this study incorporates newly recorded invasive mosquito species— Aedes albopictus , Ae. japonicus japonicus , and Ae. koreicus and provides an overview of their distributional expansion and ecological characteristics. Their establishment and ongoing spread represent a significant epidemiological risk, particularly in the context of climate change, increasing international trade, and growing human mobility, which facilitate both mosquito dispersal and pathogen introduction.

Motivated by the invasion of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes and the interspecific competition between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Florida, we formulate a two-species competition model on a compact metric graph. This model accounts for the species' ability to inhabit and traverse along the graph's edges. In the scenario of weak-strong competition, we prove that solutions of the competition model converge uniformly to a semi-positive equilibrium, where either Aedes albopictus survives while Aedes aegypti goes extinct, or vice versa. Whereas for weak-weak competition, the solutions converge uniformly to a positive equilibrium, enabling the coexistence of both Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. We conduct numerical simulations on the two-species competition model along Route 441 in Florida, aiming to illustrate the invasion dynamics and competitive interactions of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

The application of synthetic insecticides is the primary means of controlling Aedes mosquitoes in Malaysia, but the efficacy of this method is undermined by the evolution of resistance. Aedes albopictus as one of the dominant and competent arboviral vectors has an elusive insecticide resistance status in different geographical regions of Northern Peninsular Malaysia. This underscores the importance of assessing the diverse types of insecticides used and their association with target-site resistance mechanism in this species, which forms the basis of the present study. WHO bioassays were performed on Ae. albopictus larvae and adults from four localities (Penang and Perlis), towards 0.034ppm temephos, 0.25% permethrin, 0.03% deltamethrin, 0.25% pirimiphos-methyl, and 0.1% propoxur. The partial voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene domain (DIIS6, DIIIS6, and DIVS6) of pyrethroid-exposed samples were subsequently genotyped through direct sequencing for single-nucleotide mutations, together with genetic variations and haplotype networks analysis. The predicted protein structures for the mutated regions and their binding affinities to pyrethroids were also evaluated using in silico docking. Varying degrees of resistance were observed in all Penang and Perlis strains to all tested insecticides. Moreover, the detection of the F1534L mutation and newly discovered non-synonymous mutations (A1022S/P, E1041K, P1585R, and F1695L) suggest the progression of resistance alleles dissemination in these strains. The analysis of genetic variations, resistance allele distribution patterns, and haplotype networks showed evidence for multiple origins of these mutations. Data also revealed the discovered mutations affect the affinity of vgsc-binding proteins to pyrethroids. This study highlights the genotype-phenotype associations in Ae. albopictus and their genetic links to pyrethroid resistance, offering insights to strengthen vector control strategies in Malaysia.

Climate change is altering mosquito distributions and may reshape the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the Republic of Korea (ROK). However, nationwide, multi-species projections for medically important mosquitoes remain limited. We compiled 1,969 spatially filtered occurrence records for 18 mosquito species and developed species distribution models using MaxEnt. Environmental predictors included bioclimatic, topographic, and land cover variables. Future distributions were projected for the 2030s, 2050s, and 2070s under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios using MIROC6 climate data. A Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) was calculated to compare species-specific range expansion and contraction. Current habitat suitability patterns grouped the 18 species into nationwide, northern-preferring, southwestern-preferring, and southern-preferring distribution types. Topographic Wetness Index (36.6%), elevation (18.6%), and land cover type (18.4%) contributed more strongly to model performance than climatic variables alone. Under SSP5-8.5 in the 2070s, Aedes albopictus and Culex tritaeniorhynchus were projected to expand suitable habitat by 183.4% and 236.5%, respectively, whereas northern-preferring Anopheles species showed marked habitat contraction. Anopheles pullus and Anopheles belenrae were projected to lose 100.0% of their suitable habitat under the highest-emission scenario. The CCVI classified five species, mainly Anopheles, as highly vulnerable, one species as moderately affected, and 12 species as range-expanding. These findings indicate that climate change may substantially reorganize mosquito communities in the ROK, reducing habitat suitability for several malaria vectors while expanding suitable areas for important arbovirus and Japanese encephalitis vectors. Adaptive surveillance and vector management should therefore integrate climate projections with local landscape and hydrological risk factors.

Mosquito-borne arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever, West Nile and Rift Valley fever circulate widely in Central Africa, yet vector ecology, especially outside major cities, remains poorly characterized. Between March 2023 and January 2025, we conducted bimonthly entomological surveys to investigate the ecological patterns of mosquito communities across an urban (Lambaréné), peri-urban and rural gradient in Moyen-Ogooué province, central Gabon. Larvae were sampled with WHO ovitraps, and adult mosquitoes were collected using light traps and Prokopack aspirators. In total, 22,216 mosquitoes were collected, representing 21 species from 8 genera. Aedes (57.2%) and Culex. (23.3%) predominated, alongside Mansonia. (16.3%) and lower abundances of Anopheles, Lutzia, Coquillettidia, Uranotaenia and Erethmapodites. Three species dominated overall: Ae. albopictus (52.5%), Ma. uniformis (16.2%) and Cx. quinquefasciatus (11.3%). Six species have been firstly reported in Gabon including Ae. argenteopunctatus, Ae. opok, Cx. bitaeniorhynchus, Cx. giganteus, Cx. poicilipes, and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Rural areas harboured the highest richness (up to 21 species), including numerous rare and functionally specialized taxa. Urban communities were species-poor and strongly dominated by Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus. Diversity indices and NMDS ordination showed clear, seasonally modulated assemblages across landscapes, with peri-urban sites forming ecological transition zones with intermediate species richness and dominance levels. These findings validate and extend evidence for an Aedes and Culex. species shift and reveal a highly structured, seasonally dynamic mosquito community in Gabon. Crucially, the coexistence of dominant vectors with a broad array of less common species shows that arboviral transmission potential in central Gabon is shaped by the entire mosquito community. Biodiversity-wide surveillance, not only of major vectors, is therefore essential for understanding and anticipating arbovirus circulation in this ecologically complex region.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-52848-2.

Purification and characterization of a new trypsin inhibitor from Senegalia rugata and its toxicity against the larvae of the dengue mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae).

Aedes albopictus is a globally important mosquito species capable of transmitting a variety of viruses. In this study, a total of 440 Ae. albopictus individuals were collected from Fanchang, Anhui Province, and 22 tissue libraries were constructed for metagenomic sequencing. A total of 649,930,614 reads were obtained and assembled into 209,335 contigs, of which 18,339 showed similarity to known viral proteins, spanning 13 viral families including both DNA and RNA viruses. Because several DNA virus-related sequences were recovered from the dataset, we further focussed on CRESS-DNA virus-related sequences and members of the family Parvoviridae. Phylogenetic analysis showed that three CRESS-DNA virus-related sequences clustered within Smacoviridae and Genomoviridae, while two Parvoviridae genomes were assigned to Brevihamaparvovirus and Protoparvovirus. These findings provide a metagenomic overview of the Ae. albopictus-associated virome in Anhui Province and provide baseline information on mosquito-associated DNA virus-related sequences in this region.

Dengue is the most rapidly expanding arboviral infection globally, with rising incidence and widening geographic distribution driven by urbanisation, climate change, vector expansion, and global mobility. Although traditionally confined to tropical and subtropical regions, dengue is increasingly emerging in temperate settings, including Europe. Recent outbreaks in Italy, Spain, and France, together with evidence of under-recognised transmission, indicate a transition from sporadic importation to recurrent autochthonous infection. This shift is facilitated by the establishment of Aedes albopictus, increasing climatic suitability, an increase in case importation from endemic areas and delays in clinical recognition and public health response. In non-endemic regions, dengue presents distinct challenges, including low population immunity, limited clinical awareness, and diagnostic constraints that may hinder early detection. While advances in vaccines, particularly TAK-003, and novel vector control strategies such as Wolbachia-based interventions offer new opportunities, their role in Europe remains context-specific and complementary to strengthened surveillance and preparedness systems. Modelling approaches provide valuable decision support but are constrained by data limitations in emerging settings. The emergence of dengue in Europe should be viewed as an early signal of broader changes in vector-borne disease dynamics. Proactive investment in integrated surveillance, diagnostics, vector control, and targeted vaccination strategies will be essential to mitigate future risk and prevent sustained transmission in non-endemic regions.

To quantify the impact of tropical cyclones on dengue transmission dynamics and related disease burden by integrating field entomology with dynamic modelling in Guangzhou, China. Guangzhou was selected as the study site considering that it is China's most dengue-endemic coastal megacity with frequent tropical cyclones and the country's largest recorded dengue outbreak in 2014. Mark-release-recapture experiments with laboratory simulations were performed in 2024 to assess the flight distance, reproduction and survival of Aedes albopictus under cyclone and baseline conditions to estimate human-mosquito contact rates. These data informed a dynamic susceptible-incubation-infected-recovered model simulating the 2014 dengue epidemic during Typhoons Rammasun and Kalmaegi. We estimated excess cases and economic losses against counterfactual baselines and projected the impact of enhanced vector control. During cyclones, Aedes albopictus maximum flight distance increased by 63.0% and human-mosquito contact rate by 30.1%. Estimated R0 increased from 1.10 (baseline) to 1.43 (Rammasun) and 1.29 (Kalmaegi). The estimated excess burden reached 217 excess cases (US$76 400) for Rammasun and 5131 cases (US$1.93 million) for Kalmaegi. Enhanced vector control during Kalmaegi was projected to avert 59 360 additional cases (US$20.91 million). Tropical cyclones amplify dengue transmission by expanding mosquito dispersal and intensifying human-vector contact. Early vector control, guided by warnings, substantially reduces cases and costs.

BackgroundMosquitoes are key arbovirus vectors and understanding their blood-feeding habits is crucial to elucidate potential pathogen transmission dynamics. Forest edge habitats, where natural and human-modified environments intersect, can enhance interactions among humans, wildlife, and mosquitoes, potentially enabling viral spillover and spillback. Characterizing these interactions is essential for assessing public health risks associated with diseases and guiding targeted vector management strategies. MethodsFemale mosquitoes were collected across forest edge habitats in the Adolpho Ducke forest reserve, Manaus, Brazil, using hand nets, between May 2021 and June 2022. Specimens were morphologically identified, and observable blood-engorged females were selected for blood meal analysis. DNA was extracted, and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was amplified and sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS). ResultsA total of 141 engorged mosquitoes were selected for blood-feeding analysis, from which COI sequences were successfully obtained in 111 (78.7%) specimens. Psorophora amazonica was the predominant species (82.9%), followed by Ps. albigenu (6.3%), Haemagogus janthinomys (4.5%), and Culex coronator (1.8%). Other species, including Aedes albopictus, Hg. baresi, Ps. albipes, Ps. circumflava, and Sabethes batesi, were each represented by a single individual (0.9%). Human DNA was identified in most blood meals (88.3%), while non-human DNA included ungulates (6.3%), rodents (1.8%), non-human primates (1.8%), birds (0.9%) and carnivores (0.9%). The distribution of sampling sites showed that anthropophilic and zoophilic interactions occurred simultaneously in the same landscapes, reflecting the overlap of wild and anthropogenic habitats.ConclusionsAnthropophilic mosquitoes inhabiting the edges of Amazonian forests exhibited opportunistic blood-feeding behavior, predominantly taking blood from humans but occasionally feeding on a broad diversity of non-human vertebrate hosts. This pattern is likely driven by the spatial contiguity between wild and urban/agricultural environments, which facilitates vector-mediated contact among multiple vertebrate species. These findings highlight the epidemiological relevance of forest edge habitats and reinforce the need for continuous entomological surveillance and targeted vector control strategies to mitigate the risk of arbovirus spillover and spillback.

Vector-borne diseases remain a significant global health concern, with the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus playing a key role in the transmission of arboviruses including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. As this species expands in novel territories, effective vector control strategies are increasingly critical. Densoviruses (DVs) have emerged as potential biological control agents, either through direct pathogenic effects on mosquito populations or via paratransgenesis. However, the influence of combined environmental factors, such as temperature and densovirus infection on mosquito life-history traits remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the effects of different temperatures (28°C, 31°C, and 34°C) and exposure to the densovirus AalDV2 on the survival of Ae. albopictus and on several mosquito life-history traits including its development time, size and symmetry at adult stage. Larvae were individually reared under controlled conditions and exposed to AalDV2 or a control treatment. Temperature had a strong threshold-like effect on survival, with dramatic mortality increases at 34°C. Unexpectedly, AalDV2-infected larvae showed significantly higher survival than controls at this extreme temperature, suggesting a protective effect under thermal stress. Across all temperatures, viral infection delayed pupation in a sex-dependent manner, with females experiencing greater delays and reduced adult wing size. Quantitative PCR revealed high infection rates (>96%) across all conditions with a viral load increasing with higher temperature in a sex-dependent manner. Our findings reveal a paradoxical outcome: while AalDV2 imposes fitness costs through delayed development and reduced body size, it confers an unexpected survival advantage at the extreme temperature. This represents the first documentation of temperature-dependent protective effects by an entomopathogenic virus in mosquitoes, challenging conventional assumptions about pathogen impacts. These results have critical implications for vector biocontrol strategies in a warming climate, as densovirus deployment could inadvertently enhance mosquito resilience in heat-stressed regions. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and assess the impact on mosquito population dynamics.

Oropouche virus (OROV; Orthobunyavirus) is an emerging arbovirus endemic to South America and the Caribbean, with imported cases in European countries, including Spain. Although primarily transmitted by biting midges (Culicoides spp.), OROV has been detected in several mosquito species, raising concerns about potential establishment in nonendemic regions. European populations of Aedes albopictus, and Culex pipiens, as well as the invasive Aedes aegypti, represent relevant models for assessing vector competence. Here, we evaluated the vector competence of Spanish Cx. pipiens biotype molestus, Spanish Ae. albopictus, and Ae. aegypti (Liverpool strain), for the 2024 OROV outbreak strain. Female mosquitoes were orally exposed to infectious blood meals and maintained under controlled insectary conditions at 27°C. In addition, an additional group received a second noninfectious blood meal. The survival of the mosquitoes was monitored, and infection, dissemination, and transmission rates were assessed at 7, 14, and 21 days post infection. Vertical transmission of the virus to the progenies was also analyzed. Overall, Ae. albopictus exhibited low infection rates, with occasional dissemination and transmission events. Aedes aegypti and Cx. pipiens biotype molestus showed infection and occasional dissemination, but no evidence of transmission. A second noninfectious blood meal did not significantly affect infection, dissemination, or transmission rates in any species. Viral loads in bodies and legs were low and did not differ significantly between species, time points, or feeding regimens. Survival was not affected by infection or blood-feeding regime. We did not find vertical transmission of OROV to the progenies. Regardless of virus dissemination in mosquitoes, our study indicates a poor vector competence of Spanish Ae. albopictus and no evidence of transmission under the conditions tested in Ae. aegypti and Cx. pipiens biotype molestus for the circulating OROV strain. These findings suggest a low risk for local OROV establishment in Spain, although continuous surveillance and research are warranted to monitor potential vector-virus adaptation.

Environmental insecticide residues are a growing concern in the management of disease-vector mosquitoes, such as Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). While deltamethrin is extensively utilised in mosquito vector control, localised or intermittent sublethal exposure to this insecticide may influence mosquito population dynamics. To investigate the role of environmental residual deltamethrin in inducing transgenerational fitness costs in Ae. albopictus, this study established three different concentrations of deltamethrin solution based on its half-lethal concentration (0.002275mg/L) for long-term exposure. And four consecutive generations were reared under these conditions. We monitored macroscopic growth and developmental data, reproductive capacity, and expression levels of yolk protein genes (vitellogenin) in each generation. Results showed that sublethal multigenerational deltamethrin exposure significantly prolonged the developmental period of Ae. albopictus; however, it did not have a significant impact on pupation or eclosion rates. In terms of fecundity, exposure to deltamethrin reduced the relative expression levels of vitellogenin-A1 and vitellogenin-C in Ae. albopictus, which was correlated with reduced reproductive output. Furthermore, there was a reduction observed in both single female oviposition rates and egg hatching success among exposed individuals. These findings highlight sublethal responses that may impact population dynamics and reproductive success in the field, underscoring the importance of considering chronic, low-dose insecticide effects in integrated vector management strategies.

Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, is a globally recognized invasive species and a significant vector for arboviruses such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya. While reported in various Northern provinces of Iran, evidence of its detection in Qazvin Province, remained unconfirmed prior to this study. The objective of this research was to conduct early detection and community-based surveillance for invasive Aedes species within this high-risk area. A comprehensive entomological surveillance system was implemented across Qazvin Province (2022-2024), integrating monitoring at Points of Entry, community‑based reporting, and targeted investigations around confirmed dengue cases. Field activities were conducted from April to November each year. Data collection included ovitrap monitoring, larval habitat inspections, and adult mosquito sampling using standardized WHO‑recommended procedures, followed by morphological identification under laboratory conditions. All surveillance information was systematically recorded, validated, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The presence of Ae. albopictus was confirmed in Razmian. A total of 1,602 mosquito specimens representing eight species from four genera were collected, including 561 eggs, 15 larvae, and 3 adult Ae. albopictus detected across four locations. All positive detections originated from community‑triggered investigations, while ovitraps and routine surveillance at Points of Entry yielded no Aedes specimens. This demonstrates the high sensitivity of community‑based reporting for early detection of low‑density invasive mosquito populations. This study reports the first confirmed detection of Ae. albopictus in Qazvin Province. The findings highlight the essential contribution of community reporting in complementing traditional entomological surveillance and emphasize the need for sustained, people‑centered surveillance strategies to mitigate the risk of future arboviral transmission.

Sequence analysis and developmental expression dynamics of cAMP response element-binding protein in Aedes albopictus.

Arboviral infections in the tropics and subtropics have become re-emergent, with culicine mosquitoes crucial to their transmission. A four-month survey was conducted between January to April, 2025 within the University of Lagos (Akoka campus) Nigeria. A total of 483 immature stages of Aedes mosquitoes were collected: 358 larvae, 90 pupae, and 35 eggs. Emergence yielded 292 adults, predominantly Aedes aegypti (n=245), which showed significantly higher wet season productivity at 0.02 (P < 0.05), especially in April. In contrast, Aedes albopictus demonstrated no significant seasonal difference. Spatial analysis showed that Mean±Standard deviation of Ae. aegypti was most dominant at Students Affairs Frontage (11.0 ± 10.49), followed by New Hall (10.5 ± 24.09), and Faculty of Science (4.88 ± 5.33) with clear preference for artificial containers such as discarded tyres and ceramic plates. Aedes albopictus was exclusively present in the Biological Garden (2.35 ± 3.87), favoring shaded vegetated habitats. These findings emphasized ecological partitioning between the two species, and suggested potential interspecific competition in vegetated microhabitats while the seasonality and habitat specificity of Ae. aegypti affirmed its adaptation to urban environments and highlighted critical windows for targeted vector surveillance and control.